Russ served in the former Strategic Air Command (1978-1980) and United States Air Forces in Europe (1980-1982) during the Cold War under Jimmy Carter and President Reagan (1980-1982). He served at Royal Air Force Upper Heyford, England, the air base from which the 1986 F-111 bombings of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya were launched, also one of the NATO bases closed later by Bill Clinton.

After working in mechanical engineering (1983-1992), Russ was involved in business development, marketing, and the financial sector (1992-2001). He then worked in commercial construction (2001-2006). Currently, he is an adventurist and conservative political writer.